A Sound Reaction: Dave Owens

Whoever said less is more, was obviously some kind of fool, as this column will ably attempt to demonstrate.

Whoever said less is more, was obviously some kind of fool, as this column will ably attempt to demonstrate.

This week we have been besieged, swamped and any other verb you care to mention which succinctly describes having your computer flooded with incredible new Welsh music.

The Bluebottle Veins’ name may conjure up none-too-pleasant images of microscopic fly-based laboratory work and some poorly executed joke about causing a sizeable buzz. Nevertheless, this Flint-based outfit’s stomping cavalcade of razor sharp blues and a frontman who channels the glittery spirit of Marc Bolan in his glam pomp is an intoxicating brew.

Taking their cues and paying their dues to the lightning blues players of yore, imagine Robert Johnson and John Lee Hooker jamming with The Black Keys, while T-Rex and Led Zeppelin crib their incendiary riffs. It’s that explosive.

International men of mystery The Vestals have been so camera shy since they got together last year I’d warrant even their own girlfriends are unaware they’re moonlighting in a rock ‘n’ roll band. All that looks set to change as the Newport outfit release their debut single – the rollicking double A sider Perfect Pain and Seventeen.

Recently confirmed as UK tour support to Frank Carter’s tub-thumping rock concern Pure Love, they share the melancholic ’80s splendour of The Cure and New Order. Although they prefer to retain their anonymity and with it an air of intrigue, what we do know is that their first recording is brooding, skittering pop in excelsis. You should check out the rather marvellous monochrome video for their darkly thrilling Seventeen, which only serves to heighten the mystery.

Electro trailblzaer Ifan Dafydd is currently teasing the internet with his quietly stunning, starry-eyed meisterwerk Celwydd.

The track, which has already secured an impressive 50,000 plays on Soundcloud and caused near meltdown amongst music bloggers, is set to feature on Recordiau Lliwgar’s new release Y Record Las (The Blue Record)

The follow up to the Cardiff label’s debut Y Record Goch (The Red Record) the double 10 inch vinyl compilation features Dafydd alongside three of the Welsh language’s scene most diligently pioneering musicians - Ymarfer Corff, Llwybr Llaethog and H Hawkline.

As a side note Ymarfer Corff is the latest project from former Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci’s inspirational leader Euros Childs and reunites the singer with former Gorky’s (and present Y Niwl) drummer Pete Richardson.

Last, but by no means least is Let’s Blow The Whole Thing Up - the debut offering from The Lovely Wars.

The Cardiff outfit fronted by Ani Saunders, last seen orbiting the Earth with sister Gwenno in futuristic space cadets The Pipettes, take us by the scruff of the neck and deposit us wide-eyed and grinning in the corner at the conclusion of this punchy, power pop propelled, (alliteration compliant) melodic romp through early ‘80s new wave.

With a bassline that growls like Peter Hook reborn as grizzly bear, the song’s joyful skip can’t disguise the fact that this is actually a new call for a gunpowder plot against the City of London.

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